Visitor Center Report

The Trollius riederianus are beautiful now.

weather: Clear Temperature: 24 ℃

From Mt. Kurodake’s 7th Station to the peak, the Trollius riederianus are spreading over a broader area and approaching their best viewing season.
The flowers are also blooming around the 7th Station, meaning the entire northeast face of the mountain is now covered with flowers.
Additionally, the Filipendula camtschatica, Aruncus dioicus var. kamtschaticus, Spiraea betulifolia var. betulifolia and other flowers are starting to form communities around the 9th Station. Their beauty makes it easy to forget the difficulty of the climb.
Photos: Trollius riederianus near the 8th Station (left) and Filipendula camtschatica near the 9th Station (right) Jul. 24

The blooming season is almost over on the ridgeline.

weather: Clear Temperature: 23 ℃

Almost all flowering has ended on the Mt. Midori ridgeline. Now is the time for enjoying a quiet walk on the mountain. Sieversia pentapetala, Phyllodoce aleutica, and other snowfield plants have begun blooming between Daiichi Hanabatake and the Eiko no Sawa rocky slope. Flowers will gradually pop open one after another where the snow has melted, allowing enjoyable viewing until around mid-August.
The snowy gorges have grown smaller, with that on the edge of Daiichi Hanabatake measuring about 90 meters and those between Daini Hanabatake and the Eiko no Sawa rocky slope measuring roughly 20 meters and 25 meters.
Flower blooming
Daiichi Hanabatake: Potentilla matsumurae, Juncus beringensis ◯, Primula cuneifolia var.
cuneifolia ◯, Sieversia pentapetala, Pedicularis chamissonis var. japonica↑
Daini Hanabatake: Primula cuneifolia var. cuneifolia, Potentilla matsumurae, Sieversia pentapetala ↑
Daini Hanabatake to Eiko no Sawa rocky slope: Sieversia pentapetala ◯, Phyllodoce aleutica ↑, Primula cuneifolia var. cuneifolia ↑
Mt. Midori rocky slope to peak: Saussurea yanagisawae, Bistorta vivipara, Artemisia arctica subsp. sachalinensis, Aconogonon ajanense ◯
Bryanthus gmelinii ↑ Spiraea betulifolia var. aemiliana, Tilingia ajanensis, Campanula chamissonis, Stellaria pterosperma, Dicentra peregrina, Potentilla miyabei, Pennellianthus frutescens ↓
Photo: Daiichi Hanabatake, Mt. Midori Jul. 24

Publication of a Visitor Center Report

weather: Clear Temperature: 15 ℃

The 62nd edition of the Visitor Center Report has been published.
The cover features a “Sieversia pentapetala community at Kumonotaira.”
It includes an article on signs in the field that indicate the presence of Ursus arctos yesonesis, including points that deserve particular attention, and presents flowers that can be seen around Mt. Kurodake.
Please have a look! http://sounkyovc.net/newsletters/62.pdf July 24, 2014

Vehicular traffic restrictions during the fall foliage season

weather: Rain Temperature: 21 ℃

As in past years, restrictions will be placed on vehicular traffic during the fall foliage season. For details, please see the following Kamikawa Town webpage:
http://www.town.kamikawa.hokkaido.jp/section/sangyoukeizai/chs81200000015es.html July 23, 2014

Mt. Aka course flowering report

weather: Clear Temperature: 21 ℃

Along the Mt. Aka course, the Sieversia pentapetala, Pennellianthus frutescens, Arenaria arctica var. hondoensis, and Therorhodion camtschaticum are forming communities near the peak, though they remain small. On the other hand, the Dicentra peregrina, Viola crassa subsp. borealis, and Cassiope lycopodioides have passed their peak season and are starting to wilt somewhat. At the same time, however, the Primula cuneifolia var. cuneifolia, Rhododendron aureum, and
Harrimanella stelleriana have started to bloom at Daiyon Sekkei, where the snow is continuing to melt, as well as Daisan Sekkei. Flowers will gradually become noticeable in areas where the snow has been melting slowly.
Photo: Pennellianthus frutescens near the Mt. Aka peak Jul. 17